Warriors’ $7 Million Forward Held Up Paul George Trade Talks: Insider

Getty Jonathan Kuminga handling the basketball during a December 14 game against the LA Clippers.

It’s a franchise-altering offseason for the Golden State Warriors, but they showed a hesitance in blockbuster trade talks for Paul George. Jonathan Kuminga was reportedly off the table for the nine-time All-Star.

George ended up with the Philadelphia 76ers by way of a free agent contract. But before declining his player option, the Warriors talked a trade for the 34-year-old with the LA Clippers.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that talks stalled after Golden State refused to include Kuminga.

“The Warriors offered multiple combinations of expiring contracts, young players and an unprotected 2027 first-round pick, sources said,” Shelburne wrote on July 3. “The Clippers countered by asking for prized youngster Jonathan Kuminga, sources said.”

Kuminga is coming off of his third year with the Warriors, who drafted him seventh overall in 2019. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 74 regular-season appearances with the team last season.

The upcoming season will be his last under contract, for $7.6 million. George signed a four-year, $212 million deal with Philadelphia.

Dunleavy Addresses Kuminga, Moody Trade Possibilities

Prior to the George trade fallout, general manager Mike Dunleavy spoke with the media following the 2024 NBA Draft.

When asked about possibly trading Kuminga or Moses Moody, Dunleavy insisted it would have to be a franchise-altering return.

“It would have to be something that we felt would unequivocally change the trajectory of our franchise,” Dunleavy told reporters on June 28. “We like those guys, we think they’re gonna be really good. So, it has to be something that makes us a lot better than that.”

Cleary they don’t feel George represents a player of that caliber. The 34-year-old star has an extensive injury history, despite having played 74 games last season.

He played 48, 54, 31, and 56 games in the four seasons prior.

Shelburne also noted that Golden State didn’t want to empty the cupboard for George, ahead of an aspired championship run.

“The Warriors resisted because Kuminga is so important to their own future, sources said,” Shelburne added. “But also because they worried George wouldn’t be as interested in joining them if they gave up too much to get him.”

And any deal for George would have required a new max contract. It’s equally likely the Warriors didn’t want to pay him the full max amount, as the Clippers didn’t.

Warriors Pivoting After Losing Thompson

Golden State’s direction is lost on fans, and possibly the front office too, after losing Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

The four-time NBA champion netted only two future second-round picks for the Warriors, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarwoski noted in his July 2 report.

“Dallas is sending its own 2031 second-round pick in the deal as well as the least favorable of the 76ers or Nuggets’ second-round pick in 2025, a source said,” Wojnarowski wrote.

Golden State made sure to acknowledge the future jersey retirement of Thompson, in a statement issued by the team.

“Klay’s legacy will live on forever and we look forward to the day we can retire his #11 jersey at Chase Center where he will join a host of Warriors immortals, including those who helped shape this recent dynasty — himself included,” the statement read.

Thompson played 13 seasons with the Warriors, averaging 19.6 points on 41% percent shooting from three.